Edging systems

Abstract

An easy to install countertop edging system comprising a profiled edge strip is described. The rear mating surface of the edge strip includes an adhesion promoting material for attachment to the substrate. An optional channel on the bottom of the edge strip allows for incorporation of lighting elements and decorative materials, mechanical securing of the edge and application of tools and additional features. The countertop edge system may also include a stanchion rail. The profiled edge strip is attached to an edge of a countertop or other substrate by the stanchion rail and/or structural adhesive. Related methods using the edge strip and rail are also described.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An edging system comprising:
 a stanchion rail defining an outer face and an oppositely directed inner face, the stanchion rail adapted for affixment to a substrate such that the inner face of the stanchion rail contacts the substrate; 
 a profiled edge strip defining an outer face of the edge strip, and a generally oppositely directed inner face of the edge strip, the inner face of the edge strip defining a receiving channel sized and shaped to fittingly engage the outer face of the stanchion rail, the edge strip also defining a stanchion groove; 
 a structural adhesive disposed in the stanchion groove; 
 wherein the stanchion rail is engaged within the receiving channel of the profiled edge strip by orienting the edge strip so that the receiving channel defined along the inner face of the edge strip faces the outer face of the stanchion rail and positioning at least one of the edge strip and the stanchion rail toward one another in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the edge strip, and the edge strip is affixed to the stanchion rail by the structural adhesive. 
 
     
     
       2. The edging system of  claim 1  wherein the profiled edge strip further defines an underside extending between the outer face and the inner face of the edge strip, the underside defining a recessed channel, the edge system further comprising:
 a channel cap removably engaged to the profiled edge strip along the underside of the edge strip and extending across the recessed channel. 
 
     
     
       3. The edging system of  claim 2  wherein the edge strip includes inwardly directed retainers extending along opposing walls of the recessed channel and the channel cap includes outwardly projecting ears such that, upon engagement between the channel cap and the edge strip, the ears of the channel cap contact and engage the retainers of the edge strip. 
     
     
       4. The edging system of  claim 2  wherein the channel cap is light transmissive. 
     
     
       5. The edging system of  claim 1  wherein the edge strip includes a pair of flexible capture projections along the receiving channel, the pair of capture projections spaced apart to define a minimum access dimension of the receiving channel, the stanchion rail defining an outer arcuate surface having a maximum span greater than the minimum access dimension of the receiving channel, whereby upon engagement between the edge strip with the stanchion rail, displacement and flexure occurs between the capture projections. 
     
     
       6. The edging system of  claim 1  wherein the profiled edge strip is light transmissive. 
     
     
       7. An edging system comprising:
 a stanchion rail adapted for affixment to a substrate; 
 a profiled edge strip defining an outer face, and a generally oppositely directed inner face, the inner face of the edge strip defining a plurality of grooves along the inner face, the profiled edge strip further defining an underside extending between the outer face and the inner face of the edge strip, the underside defining a recessed channel, wherein the plurality of grooves defined along the inner face of the profiled edge strip include at least three parallel grooves spaced apart from one another and extending along at least a portion of the length of the edge strip; 
 structural adhesive disposed between the stanchion rail and the edge strip; 
 a channel cap removably engaged to the profiled edge strip along the underside of the edge strip and extending across the recessed channel. 
 
     
     
       8. The edging system of  claim 7  wherein the edge strip includes inwardly directed retainers extending along opposing walls of the recessed channel and the channel cap includes outwardly projecting ears such that, upon engagement between the channel cap and the edge strip, the ears of the channel cap contact and engage the retainers of the edge strip. 
     
     
       9. The edging system of  claim 7  further comprising at least one layer of an overlay material on at least a portion of the outer face of the profiled edge strip.